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The differences between police dispatchers and call takers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a call taker has an average salary of $38,776, which is higher than the $37,402 average annual salary of a police dispatcher.
The top three skills for a police dispatcher include computer aided dispatch, patrol and CAD. The most important skills for a call taker are computer aided dispatch, taker, and CAD.
| Police Dispatcher | Call Taker | |
| Yearly salary | $37,402 | $38,776 |
| Hourly rate | $17.98 | $18.64 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 6,964 | 11,539 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 38% | High School Diploma, 30% |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
Police Dispatchers are responsible for assessing incoming calls and deploying police resources using professional judgment. Their duties include answering emergency calls from agencies and the public, gathering information from police systems and call handlers, conducting priority assessments based on vulnerability and risks, and liaising with police officers to determine the logistics of place and time of an incident lodged. They also help facilitate investigations, reassure victims, and maintain accurate incident records.
A call taker works at a call or dispatch center, where they are primarily in charge of answering calls, identifying the callers' needs, and coordinating services to assist them right away. Although their responsibilities depend on their company or industry of employment, it usually involves answering inquiries, processing requests, arranging appointments or reservations, and handling issues and concerns, resolving them promptly and efficiently. When it comes to employment, a call taker may work for 911 dispatch centers, taxi companies, towing services, and private hotlines.
Police dispatchers and call takers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Police Dispatcher | Call Taker | |
| Average salary | $37,402 | $38,776 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $48,000 | Between $29,000 And $51,000 |
| Highest paying City | Philadelphia, PA | San Mateo, CA |
| Highest paying state | Pennsylvania | California |
| Best paying company | City of Seattle | City of San Antonio |
| Best paying industry | Government | Government |
There are a few differences between a police dispatcher and a call taker in terms of educational background:
| Police Dispatcher | Call Taker | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 38% | High School Diploma, 30% |
| Most common major | Criminal Justice | Criminal Justice |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between police dispatchers' and call takers' demographics:
| Police Dispatcher | Call Taker | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 35.6% Female, 64.4% | Male, 26.0% Female, 74.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 0.9% White, 72.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 0.9% White, 72.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 17% | 17% |